Holster Apparatuses

ABSTRACT

Improved holster apparatuses are disclosed. In one embodiment, a holster apparatus includes a body defining a cavity for receiving an object and a rigid material releasably attached to the body via a locking system and further attached to a flexible material such as a pocket, a purse, a handbag, or a saddlebag. In another embodiment, a holster apparatus comprises a body defining a cavity for receiving an object and one or more structures disposed on an exterior surface of the body for moving moisture away from a user of the apparatus. Each of the structures comprises a moisture wicking material at least partially surrounding a moisture resistant material. The moisture wicking material is capable of moving moisture from a first plane between the user and the moisture resistant material to a second plane between the moisture resistant material and the body of the apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/561,826 filed on Nov. 18, 2011, which is incorporated herein byreference, and this application is copending with another applicationfiled on the same date as this application, also entitled “ImprovedHolster Apparatuses”.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to holster apparatuses, and moreparticularly to a holster apparatus having a rigid material releasablyattached to the holster body and further attached to a flexible materialand also to a holster apparatus having one or more moisture relocationstructures.

Weapons such as handguns are commonly carried in holsters designed toprotect the weapon and hold it securely in place. Holsters havetypically been worn on a belt at the waist, on the thigh, under an arm,or around an ankle. However, today's users of handguns are moreconcerned with concealing the holster in more comfortable positions suchas inside pockets, purses, handbags, saddlebags, and so forth, whichinvolves mounting the holster on a flexible material.

Unfortunately, current methods of mounting holsters directly on flexiblematerials are problematic. For example, the weight of the weapon in theholster may cause the flexible material to tear at the point where theholster is attached. Further, the holster is likely to change positionsin response to movements of the user. For example, U.S. Pat. No.7,841,497 to Gregory et al. describes the attachment of a holster to aflexible material such as a belt or the user's apparel using quickdisconnect or other couplings. The attachment of such couplings directlyto a flexible material allows the holster to change positions, makingquick draw of the weapon more difficult. Moreover, as the holsterchanges positions, it might no longer be concealed. For example, if theholster is mounted on a flexible belt, the weight of the butt of the gunmight pull it outwards, causing the gun to print through the concealinggarment.

Another drawback of current holsters is that their presence near theuser's skin may cause the user to sweat, particularly if he or she isengaged in vigorous activity such as running. The user of a holstermight also get wet from, for example, rain or from going swimming. Inany of these situations, moisture may be retained on the user's skin,making the user very uncomfortable. It would therefore be desirable todevelop a way to remove moisture from the skin of the user of a holster.

SUMMARY

Improved holster apparatuses are disclosed. In one embodiment, anapparatus for holding an object comprises: a body defining a cavity forreceiving the object; a rigid material releasably attached to the bodyvia a locking system and being further attached to a flexible material,wherein the locking system includes one or more surfaces adjacent to therigid material, and the rigid material includes a surface adjacent tothe flexible material. The surface of the rigid material disposedadjacent to the flexible material has an area that is at least twice thesize of a total area of the one or more surfaces of the locking systemdisposed adjacent to the rigid material.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for holding an object comprises: abody defining a cavity for receiving the object; and one or morestructures disposed on an exterior surface of the body for movingmoisture away from a user of the apparatus. Each of the structurescomprises a moisture wicking material at least partially surrounding amoisture resistant material. The moisture wicking material is capable ofmoving moisture from a first plane between the user and the moistureresistant material to a second plane between the moisture resistantmaterial and the body of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, together with the advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handbag having a strobe light and aholster apparatus mounted therein in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the handbag from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front of saddlebag having a holsterapparatus mounted therein in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the saddlebag from FIG. 3 when it is open;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the saddlebag from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the back of the saddlebag from FIG. 3and of a belt to which the saddlebag may be attached in accordance withanother embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side plan view of a holster apparatus mounted on a pant beltin accordance with one embodiment and of another holster apparatusmounted in a cargo pant pocket in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the holster apparatus mounted in the cargopant pocket from FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the back of the holster apparatusmounted on the pant belt from FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of a holster apparatus mounted in a pantpocket in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a partial front view of a female wearing a holster apparatusmounted on a neck chain and strapped to her clothing in accordance withstill another embodiment, wherein a cross-section of the holsterapparatus is shown;

FIG. 12 is a detailed view of the holster apparatus from FIG. 11 showingit mounted on the neck chain and strapped to the clothing;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the back of a holster apparatus mountedon a neck chain, wherein structures for moving moisture away from a userare disposed on the holster apparatus in accordance with yet anotherembodiment;

FIG. 14 is a partial front view of a female wearing the holsterapparatus mounted on the neck chain from FIG. 13, wherein across-section of the holster apparatus is shown;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the holster apparatus from FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a quick-releasable lock for use in aholster apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a rigid material having rings of thequick-releasable lock from FIG. 16 attached thereto via connecting tabs;and

FIG. 18 is a side plan view of a handbag having the rigid material fromFIG. 17 sewn thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to a non-limiting embodiment, a holster apparatus for holdingan object includes a body defining a cavity for receiving the object anda rigid material that is releasably attached to the body via a lockingsystem and that is further attached to a flexible material. While theobject that the cavity is shaped to receive may be a weapon such as ahandgun, a knife, a baton, a taser, pepper spray, or a mace canister, itis understood that the object could also be other objects that users ofthe holster apparatus would like to carry with them, including toolssuch as a drill or a hammer. The flexible material to which the rigidmaterial may be attached is desirably a material that allows the holsterapparatus to be carried in a concealed manner. Examples of suitableflexible materials include but are not limited to a sidewall of anarticle of clothing, a pocket, a cargo pant pocket, a belt, a seat beltof a vehicle, and a bag such as a purse, a handbag, a saddlebag, a mailsaddlebag, and a backpack.

As indicated above, the body of the holster apparatus is indirectlyattached to the flexible material via a rigid material. This rigidmaterial advantageously distributes the weight of the holster apparatusevenly over a larger area so that the flexible material does not rip.The attachment of the holster body to the rigid material using anappropriate locking system also helps ensure that the holster apparatuswill remain in the same position and will not wobble despite themovements of the user of the holster apparatus. As such, the holsterapparatus is more likely to remain concealed and is less likely to moveto a position where its print might be seen through the material behindwhich it is concealed.

The rigid material may comprise, for example, wood, leather treated tobe hard (e.g., soaking the leather in water and stretching it in brightsunlight), metal, carbon fiber, glass fiber, a polymeric material, orcombinations thereof. Suitable metals include but are not limited tosteel, aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof. Suitable polymericmaterials include but are not limited to epoxy resins, phenolic resins,polyimide resins, cyanate resins, high-strength plastics, glass orpolymer fiber reinforced plastics, and epoxy laminates. The body of theholster apparatus may also comprise any of the foregoing materials orother materials such as leather, vinyl, or cloth.

The aforementioned locking system is of a type that allows the rigidmaterial to be “releasably attached” to the body of the holsterapparatus, meaning that the rigid material may be easily detached andconnected to the body by the user of the holster apparatus without theuse of tools. The locking system desirably cannot be accidentallydisengaged. Examples of suitable locking systems will be described laterin reference to the drawings.

The size of the rigid material that is suitable for preventing thetearing of the flexible material may be defined in the following manner.The locking system includes one or more surfaces adjacent to the rigidmaterial, and the rigid material includes a surface adjacent to theflexible material. This surface of the rigid material has an area thatis at least twice the size of the total area of the one or more surfacesof the locking system disposed adjacent to the rigid material. Thistotal area may be more clearly understood by referring to thedescription of the drawings that follows.

According to another embodiment, a holster apparatus for holding anobject includes a body defining a cavity for receiving the object andone or more structures disposed on an exterior surface of the body formoving moisture away from a user of the apparatus. Each of thestructures comprises a moisture wicking material at least partiallysurrounding a moisture resistant material. The moisture wicking materialis capable of moving moisture from a first plane between the user andthe moisture resistant material to a second plane between the moistureresistant material and the body of the apparatus. The cavity of the bodyof the holster apparatus may be shaped to receive various objects suchas the weapons and tools mentioned above. As used herein, the term“moisture wicking material” is taken to mean a material that drawsmoisture from one place to another place rather than absorb themoisture. Examples of suitable moisture wicking materials include butare not limited to wool, chemically treated silk, polyester, microfiber,and combinations thereof. Suitable polyester materials includespecially-engineered polyester fibers commercially available from DuPontunder the tradename COOLMAX™ and commercially available from UnderArmour, Inc. under the tradename HEATGEAR™. Further, the term “waterresistant material” is taken to mean a material that hinders thepenetration of water. Examples of suitable moisture resistant materialsinclude but are not limited to foam rubber, foam neoprene, nylon, vinyl,patent leather, a polymeric material, and combinations thereof.

The structures comprising both the moisture wicking material and themoisture resistant material raise the holster apparatus above the bodyof the user such that only the bottom of the moisture wicking materialis next to the skin. The moisture wicking material therefore relocatesmoisture next to the user's skin to a higher plane where it canevaporate so that the user feels dry rather than wet and uncomfortable.As such, the user does not feel the need to stop carrying the holsterapparatus when he or she starts perspiring or is exposed to water suchas rain or in a swimming pool.

In addition, the moisture relocation structures are preferably spacedapart from each other by channels that drain away excess moisture whichbecomes deposited in the channels by the moisture wicking material. Thepresence of such channels between the user and the holster apparatusalso exposes the user's skin to air. These channels therefore assist inkeeping the user's skin dry.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment in which ahandbag 1 has a weapon holster body 2 and a strobe light 3 mounted init. In addition, the handbag 1 is attached to a rigid material 4 via aquick-releasable lock. The rigid material 4 is connected to a flexiblevehicular seat belt 5. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the handbag 1 fromFIG. 1. As shown, the weapon holster body 2 is attached with aquick-releasable lock 6 to a rigid material 7 that is further attachedto the flexible sidewall of handbag 1. By way of example, the rigidmaterial 7 may be sewed and/or glued onto the sidewall of handbag 1.Handbag 1 is mounted via bipartite quick-releasable lock 8 to rigidmaterial 4, which is connected to flexible vehicular seat belt 5. Asused throughout the specification, a “quick-releasable lock” refers to alock that can be easily connected or disconnected by a simple action ofthe user of the lock.

The quick-releasable locks disclosed herein are preferably bipartitelocks having two parts that mate with each other such as the bipartitequick-releasable lock shown in FIG. 16. The quick-releasable lock ofFIG. 16 includes a holster mount 42 that is attached to the body of aholster apparatus (not shown) via screws and/or glue, preferably at thecenter of mass of the holster body when a weapon is disposed therein.One or more members 44 (two are shown) having depressible buttons 47disposed thereon are attached to holster mount 42. The quick-releasablelock further includes one or more additional mounts attached to a rigidmaterial (e.g., the rigid material 7 depicted in FIG. 2) via tabs 48and/or glue and having rings 46 disposed thereon that are shaped toreceive members 44. Alternatively, the members 44 having depressiblebuttons 47 may be attached to the rigid material, and the additionalmounts having rings 46 may be attached to holster mount 42. In eithercase, the two parts of the quick-releasable lock may be engaged bysliding members 44 through rings 46. During this sliding motion, thebuttons 47 disposed on members 44 remain depressed until they are allthe way through rings 46, at which point they catch on rings 46 suchthat they are locked in place. To disengage the quick-releasable lock,the buttons 47 may be depressed in order to release members 44 fromrings 46. Other suitable quick-releasable locks, also known as“quick-disconnect locks”, are known in the art. An example of a suitablequick-releasable lock is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,170 toOtrusina, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIG. 17 illustrates the tabs 48 depicted in FIG. 16 after they have beenemployed to attach the mounts for rings 46 (shown in FIG. 16) to rigidmaterial 7. Rigid material 7 includes openings 51 that can be used tosew rigid material 7 to a flexible material such as the inside of ahandbag (e.g., the handbag 1 depicted in FIG. 2). FIG. 18 furtherdepicts rigid material 7 after it has been sewn onto the flexiblesidewall of handbag 1 using thread 52. Note how the surface area ofrigid material 7 that is disposed adjacent to the flexible material isat least two times the total area of surfaces 49 (depicted in FIG. 16)on the backside of mounts 53 for holding rings 46, thereby ensuring thatthe flexible material does not tear under the weight of the holsterapparatus.

Turning to FIG. 3, a saddlebag 9 having a weapon holster apparatusmounted therein is shown. The word “mail” 10 is written on saddlebag 9to conceal the weapon by mislabeling its contents as mail. FIGS. 4 and 5provide a more detailed view of saddlebag 9 when it is open. Thesaddlebag 9 contains a weapon holster body 11 that is attached to arigid material 14 via buttons 12, which in turn is attached to aflexible sidewall of saddlebag 9. The buttons 12 may be attached to therigid material 14 by, e.g., gluing or sewing them to material 14. Asshown in FIG. 5, button slits 13 (i.e., lateral openings) whichcorrespond to the buttons 12 are disposed in a sidewall of the holsterbody 11. The buttons 12 may be used to attach holster body 11 to rigidmaterial 14 by positioning them within button slits 13. In anotherembodiment, the buttons 12 might be attached to the holster body 11 andthe button slits 13 might be disposed in the rigid material 14. Asdepicted in FIG. 6, a quick-releasable lock 15 like that described abovemay be employed to attach the saddlebag 9 to a rigid material 16 that isconnected to a flexible pant belt 17.

Whenever buttons and button slits for attaching a holster body to arigid material are mentioned in this disclosure, it is to be understoodthat a portion of the slits extends in a first direction and anotherportion of the slits extends in a second direction that is perpendicularto the first direction. While each button may move in the direction ofits corresponding slit, it cannot move perpendicular to that direction.Thus, by using button slits that extend in different directions,stability may be achieved since the overall effect is to prevent thebuttons from moving in any direction. Consequently, the use of this typeof locking system to attach a holster body to a rigid material mostlikely will ensure that the holster body does not change positionsrelative to the rigid material. In addition, the button slits arepreferably positioned such that they encircle the center of mass of theholster body when a weapon is disposed therein, thereby further ensuringthat the holster body position remains the same. In cases where such abutton locking system is used to connect a holster body to a flexiblematerial, the area of the surface of the rigid material that ispositioned adjacent to the flexible material is desirably at least twotimes the total area of the button surfaces disposed adjacent to therigid material.

Turning to FIG. 7, alternate mounting locations of a weapon holsterapparatus are shown. In particular, FIG. 7 illustrates that a body 11 ofthe holster apparatus may be attached to a pant belt 18 and/or to apocket 19 of cargo pants 20. FIG. 8 provides a detailed view of theholster body 11 mounted in cargo pant pocket 19. The holster body 11includes button slits 13 for mating with buttons 12 that are attached toa rigid material 14, which is in turn attached to the flexible sidewallof either pocket 19 or cargo pants 20. A weapon retaining strap 21 maybe attached to one side of holster body 11 for retaining a weapon 24inside holster body 11. A hook and loop fastener may be used to attachthe end of strap 21 to an opposed side of holster body 11. Inparticular, the end of strap 21 may include a hook fastener 22 capableof mating with a loop fastener 23 disposed on the opposite side of theholster body 11. A suitable hook and loop fastener is commerciallyavailable from Velcro USA, Inc. under the tradename VELCRO®. Weaponretaining strap 21 may be tucked behind a barrier or in a pocketdisposed on holster body 11 to prevent the hook fastener 22 on strap 21from damaging delicate fabrics such as silk. FIG. 9 depicts a backsideview of the holster body 11 mounted to pant belt 18. In particular, theholster body 11 includes a slot 25 or alternatively a loop (not shown)for slidably receiving belt 18 therein. In alternate embodiments, theslot 25 might receive a cord, a ribbon, or a chain therein. The holsterbody 11 also includes button slits 13 for attachment to correspondingbuttons that are mounted on a rigid material, which in turn is attachedto the flexible sidewall of cargo pants 20. The button slits 13 extendin perpendicular directions with respect to each other.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another mounting location for the holsterapparatus on cargo pants 20. The holster body 11 is mounted in pantpocket 27 with button slits that join to matching buttons 12 that areattached to a rigid material. This rigid material is further attached tothe flexible sidewall of either pocket 27 or pants 20, therebyconcealing the holster body 11 within pants pocket 27.

Turning to FIG. 11, another embodiment is illustrated in which holsterbody 11 is mounted on a neck chain 28 being worn by a female.Alternatively, the neck chain might be replaced with a belt, a cord, aribbon, etc. As shown, a strap 29 may be used to secure holster body 11to an article of clothing 31 of the female, e.g., underwear or aswimsuit, thus serving to prevent holster body 11 from riding up when aweapon 24 disposed therein is removed or drawn. FIG. 12 provides a moredetailed view of holster body 11 mounted on neck chain 28. The holsterbody 11 includes button slits 13 for attaching the body 11 to a rigidmaterial having buttons disposed thereon that mate with the button slits13. This rigid material may be attached to a flexible sidewall of anarticle of clothing such as an undershirt. A weapon retaining strap 21like that described above may be attached to holster body 11 forsecuring weapon 24 within body 11. The end of strap 21 may tuck intopocket 26 when not in use to prevent the hook fastener on strap 21 fromdamaging delicate fabrics such as silk. The other strap 29 includes oneend that may be attached to holster body 11 and another end that may beattached to clothing 31, e.g., underwear or a swimsuit. As such, strap29 may be used to prevent holster body 11 from riding up with weapon 24when the weapon 24 is drawn.

Turning to FIG. 13, another embodiment of a holster apparatus is shownin which a holster body 32 is mounted on a neck chain 28. The holsterbody 32 includes moisture draining channels 33 disposed between moisturerelocation structures comprising a moisture resistant material 34 and amoisture wicking material 40. The moisture wicking material 40 extendsbeneath and over the moisture resistant material 34 as well as laterallyadjacent to a sidewall of the moisture resistant material 34. Themoisture wicking material 40 advantageously draws moisture away from thebody of a user of the holster apparatus to a higher plane where it canevaporate to keep the user dry. Without intending to be limited bytheory, it is believed that the moisture wicking material uses capillaryaction to move the moisture away from the user. Moreover, any excessmoisture that the moisture wicking material 40 might be unable to handlemay be deposited in channels 33 where the moisture can drain away.Holster body 32 includes button slits 36 that join to correspondingbuttons mounted on a rigid material, which in turn may be attached to aflexible material. The holster body 32 may include a slot 35 oralternatively a loop (not shown) for slidably receiving neck chain 28.Alternatively, the slot 35 may receive a belt, a cord, a ribbon, or anysuitable member for attaching the holster body 32 to a person. WhileFIG. 13 depicts the moisture relocation structures disposed on a holsterbody attached to a neck chain, it is to be understood that such moisturerelocation structures may also be used in combination with any of theholster apparatuses described in this disclosure and/or depicted inprevious drawings.

FIG. 14 depicts a female wearing the holster body 32 from FIG. 13 onneck chain 28. A handgun 37 such as a revolver may be enclosed withinholster body 32, which is desirably composed of a moisture resistantmaterial to keep handgun 37 dry. By way of example, holster body 32 maybe a plastic bag. A strap 29 may be used to secure holster body 32 to anarticle of clothing 31 of the female, e.g., underwear or a swim suit, toinhibit body 32 from riding up when handgun 37 is drawn. FIG. 15 is afront view of the holster body 32 shown in FIG. 14 and furtherillustrates that holster body 32 is separated into two parts by a zipper39. As such, the revolver 37 contained in holster body 32 may beaccessed by pulling on either part of body 32 divided by zipper 39.

As used herein, the terms “a” and “an” do not denote a limitation ofquantity but rather denote the presence of at least one of thereferenced items. Reference throughout the specification to “anembodiment”, “one embodiment”, “another embodiment”, and so forth meansthat a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and/orcharacteristic) described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment described herein and might or might not bepresent in other embodiments. Unless defined otherwise, technical andscientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonlyunderstood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

While the preferred embodiments have been described, it is to beunderstood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future,may make various changes and/or improvements without departing from thespirit or scope of the claims which follow. In addition, it is to beunderstood that aspects of the various embodiments may be combined orinterchanged in any suitable manner. Therefore, the spirit and scope ofthe claims should not be limited to the descriptions and examplesherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for holding an object, comprising: abody defining a cavity for receiving the object; and one or morestructures disposed on an exterior surface of the body for movingmoisture away from a user of the apparatus, wherein each of thestructures comprises a moisture wicking material at least partiallysurrounding a moisture resistant material, and wherein the moisturewicking material is capable of moving moisture from a first planebetween the user and the moisture resistant material to a second planebetween the moisture resistant material and the body of the apparatus.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structures are spaced apartfrom each other by a channel for draining moisture.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the moisture wicking material extends beneath and overthe moisture resistant material as well as laterally adjacent to asidewall of the moisture resistant material.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the moisture wicking material comprises wool, chemicallytreated silk, polyester, microfiber, or combinations thereof.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the moisture resistant material comprisesfoam rubber, foam neoprene, nylon, vinyl, patent leather, a polymericmaterial, or combinations thereof.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a rigid material releasably attached to the body via alocking system, the rigid material being further attached to a flexiblematerial.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the locking systemcomprises: (a) two or more buttons attached to the rigid material andcorresponding button slits disposed in a sidewall of the body; or (b)two or more buttons attached to a sidewall of the body and correspondingbutton slits disposed in the rigid material.
 8. The apparatus of claim7, wherein one of the button slits extends in a first direction andanother of the button slits extends in a second direction that isperpendicular to the first direction.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the body comprises a slot or loop for receiving a belt, cord,ribbon, or a chain therein.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising a strap having one end attached to the body and another endthat is capable of being attached to an article of clothing.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the body is attached to a chain and thearticle of clothing is underwear or a swimsuit.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the locking system is a quick-releasable lock.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the quick-releasable lock comprises: (a)one or more members attached to the body having depressible buttonsdisposed thereon and corresponding rings attached to the rigid material,wherein the lock is capable of being engaged by sliding the one or moremembers through the corresponding rings until the rings catch on thedepressible buttons, and wherein the lock is capable of being disengagedby depressing the buttons to release the one or more members from thecorresponding rings; or (b) one or more rings attached to the body andcorresponding members attached to the rigid material having depressiblebuttons, wherein the lock is capable of being engaged by sliding the oneor more members through the corresponding rings until the rings catch onthe depressible buttons, and wherein the lock is capable of beingdisengaged by depressing the buttons to release the one or more membersfrom the corresponding ring.
 14. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein theflexible material is a sidewall of an article of clothing, a pocket, acargo pant pocket, a belt, or a seat belt of a vehicle.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the rigid material comprises wood, leathertreated to be hard, metal, carbon fiber, glass fiber, a polymericmaterial, or combinations thereof.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a retaining strap attached to one side of the body forretaining the object inside the cavity, wherein an end of the strap iscapable of being attached to an opposed side of the body via a hook andloop fastener when the strap is fastened, and wherein the end of thestrap is capable of being positioned behind a barrier or in a pocketdisposed on the body when the strap is unfastened.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the object is a weapon.